Fixing plate , fixing arrangement comprising the fixing plate and the use said fixing plate

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a fastening plate ( 1 ) for fastening a component ( 2 ) on a printed circuit board ( 2 ), said fastening plate ( 1 ) comprising incisions ( 4 ) that part the direct connections between the printed circuit board fastening points and the component fastening points of the fastening plate ( 1 ). The invention is also directed to a fastening arrangement having the fastening plate ( 1 ). Over and above this, the invention is directed to the employment of the fastening plate ( 1 ). Due to the incisions ( 4 ) in the solder star, a solder star electrolytic capacitor having high resistance to oscillation can be realized; this can be advantageously utilized particularly in the automotive sector.

[0001] The invention is directed to a fastening plate for fastening a component on a printed circuit board having means arranged at printed circuit board fastening points for rigid fastening of the printed circuit board to be arranged at one side (top or bottom side) of the fastening plate and having means arranged at component fastening points for rigid fastening of the component to be arranged at one side (top or bottom side) of the fastening plate. The invention is also directed to a fastening arrangement having the fastening plate. Over and above this, the invention is directed to the employment of the fastening plate.

[0002] Fastening plates of the species initially cited are known wherein the printed circuit board fastening points are directly connected to the component fastening points via the fastening plate. A largely rigid connection of the fastening points results therefrom.

[0003] The known fastening plates have the disadvantage that mechanical oscillations can be directly transmitted from the printed circuit board onto the component via the fastening plate. Due to the direct connection between the fastening points, this oscillation is hardly attenuated. This particularly takes effect where the printed circuit board with the component mounted on it is installed in oscillating systems, for example internal combustion motors of motor vehicles. The oscillatory load resulting therefrom can damage or even entirely destroy the component.

[0004] It is therefore a goal of the present invention to offer a fastening plate that largely avoids the transmission of mechanical oscillations from the printed circuit board onto the component.

[0005] This goal is inventively achieved by a fastening plate according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention, a fastening arrangement having the fastening plate as well as an employment of the fastening plate can be derived from the further claims.

[0006] The invention specifies a fastening plate for fastening a component on a printed circuit board that comprises means for rigid fastening of the printed circuit board on the fastening plate. These means are arranged at the printed circuit board fastening points. The printed circuit board is to be arranged for fastening at one side of the fastening plate. Further, the inventive fastening plate comprises means for the rigid fastening of the component on the fastening plate. For fastening on the fastening plate, the component is to be arranged at one side of the fastening plate. Further, the fastening plate comprises an incision that parts the direct connection between a printed circuit board fastening point and a directly neighboring component fastening point.

[0007] The fastening of the component or, respectively, of the printed circuit board on the fastening plate can, for example, ensue with soldering or welding. The inventive fastening plate has the advantage that the flexural stiffness of the fastening plate is reduced by the incision, as a result whereof the fastening plate can itself at least partially absorb the oscillatory energy potentially introduced from the printed circuit board. The oscillatory energy is thus no longer transmitted from the printed circuit board onto the component via the direct connection between a printed circuit board fastening point and a neighboring component fastening point.

[0008] The reduced transmission of oscillatory energy from the printed circuit board onto the component has the advantage that the fastening of the component on the fastening plate, for example a weld, is relieved. These fastening points are no longer destroyed as fast.

[0009] Further, the inventive fastening plate has the advantage that, due to the reduced transmission of oscillations from the printed circuit board onto the component, the component itself or, respectively, oscillation-sensitive component parts situated in the component are also relieved.

[0010] The fastening of the fastening plate on the printed circuit board can, for example, ensue by means of pins of the printed circuit board projecting from the plane of the printed circuit board. These pins are plugged through corresponding holes in the printed circuit board and soldered there.

[0011] The fastening of the component on the fastening plate can advantageously ensue by welding. A fastening plate is therefore especially advantageous wherein weld surfaces suitable for welding a metal are arranged at the component fastening points.

[0012] Further, a fastening plate that is electrically conductive is especially advantageous. Together with a further electrically conductive connection between fastening plate and printed circuit board, for example with the assistance of the aforementioned pins, which can be conductive, a two-pole electrical contact between printed circuit board and component can thus be realized by means of the fastening.

[0013] Such an electrically conductive fastening plate can, for example, be realized in that the fastening plate is fabricated of metal. For example, copper or a nickel-iron spring material as well come into consideration as metals.

[0014] Further, a fastening plate that is spring-elastic is especially advantageous since it is especially well-suited for absorbing and damping oscillations that proceed from the printed circuit board.

[0015] The incision of the fastening plate can be especially easily realized by means of simple cutting when it proceeds from the edge of the fastening plate. Further, a fastening plate is especially advantageous wherein the incision proceeds in the direction toward the center of gravity of the fastening plate. Such a fastening plate has the advantage that, with the incision, the transport of the mechanical oscillatory energy also proceeds in the direction onto the center of gravity of the fastening plate, for example towards the mid-point. As a result thereof, an optimally large part of or, respectively, nearly the entire fastening plate is involved in the oscillatory event, as a result whereof the damping properties are improved even further.

[0016] What is also achieved due to the course of the incision in the direction toward the center of gravity of the fastening plate is that an oscillation must first run into the inner part of the fastening plate in order to proceed from a printed circuit board fastening point to the neighboring component fastening point separated therefrom by the incision. The damping of the fastening plate is additionally improved by this long running distance.

[0017] Further, a fastening plate is especially advantageous wherein the incision forms a planar recess in the fastening plate. Such a planar recess can, for example, be realized by cutting the fastening plate proceeding from the edge in the direction of the center of gravity of the fastening plate and by conducting the incision out from the inside of the fastening plate back to the edge of the fastening plate. Such a planar recess has the advantage that no tilting of the of the edge sections of the fastening plate formed by the incision is possible since the edges are spaced from one another. The fastening plate can thus oscillate unimpeded and optimally absorb the oscillatory energy introduced from the printed circuit board.

[0018] It is especially advantageous for an incision that proceeds from a point at the edge of the fastening plate into the inside of the fastening plate and from thence onto another point at the edge of the fastening plate when the incision is free of corners. Such a round incision has the advantage that no point stress of the edge of the fastening plate formed by the incision arises. Such a point stress would arise at locations at which the incision comprises corners. This lack of a point stress of the fastening plate also prevents a breakage of the fastening plate given especially high oscillatory amplitudes.

[0019] Further, a fastening plate that comprises the shape of a circular disk is especially advantageous. Such a fastening plate is especially advantageous for fastening cylindrical components such as, for example, wound capacitors.

[0020] Further, a fastening plate that comprises a center hole is especially advantageous. A contact pin of the component secured on the fastening plate can be conducted through this center hole and be contacted with the printed circuit board at the other side of the fastening plate. The electrical contacting of the component is considerably simplified as a result thereof. The center hole in the fastening plate also denotes the possibility of saving material and weight.

[0021] Further, a fastening plate that comprises a plurality of incisions is especially advantageous. With the assistance of a plurality of incisions, a fastening plate can be realized wherein all connections between a printed circuit board fastening point and a neighboring component fastening point are parted. As a result thereof, the oscillation-damping properties of the fastening plate are optimized, since each printed circuit board fastening point is now decoupled from its directly neighboring component fastening point.

[0022] Further, such a fastening plate has the advantage that the flexural stiffness is reduced further. As a result thereof, the fastening plate can absorb even more oscillatory energy.

[0023] Over and above this, a fastening plate is especially advantageous that comprises a damping element for mechanical oscillations at the side at which the component is to be arranged. Due to the reduced flexural stiffness of the fastening plate, a pronounced relative motion between the fastening plate and the printed circuit board on the one hand and between the fastening plate and the component on the other hand arises given an oscillating printed circuit board. With the assistance of damping elements, this localized, pronounced relative motion is excellently suited for reducing the transmission of the oscillation between printed circuit board and component. The damping element arranged on the fastening plate thus has the advantage that a great oscillation-damping effect can be achieved by means of what is a very limited use of damping material in terms of amount.

[0024] A damping element can also be advantageously arranged at that side of the fastening plate at which the printed circuit board is to be arranged. Here, too, an effective damping of mechanical oscillations is easily possible. An even better oscillation-damping effect is obtained in that a damping element for mechanical oscillations is arranged at both sides of the fastening plate.

[0025] The invention also specifies a fastening arrangement having a fastening plate, a component and a printed circuit board, whereby the printed circuit board is arranged at one side of the fastening plate and is rigidly connected to the fastening plate at printed circuit board fastening points. Over and above this, the component given the inventive fastening arrangement is arranged at one side of the fastening plate and rigidly connected to the fastening plate at component fastening points.

[0026] The fastening plate also comprises an incision that parts the direct connection between a printed circuit board fastening point and a neighboring component fastening point. Such a fastening arrangement has the advantage that the inventive fastening plate is advantageously utilized for damping oscillations that are transmitted from the printed circuit board onto the component.

[0027] The inventive fastening arrangement can be especially advantageously configured in that a damping element for mechanical oscillations is arranged between the fastening plate and the printed circuit board, said damping element pressing the fastening plate onto the printed circuit board. What the pressing of the damping element onto the printed circuit board assures is that the damping element touches both the fastening plate as well as the printed circuit board, as a result whereof an optimum oscillation damping is produced.

[0028] Just as advantageously, a damping element for mechanical oscillations can be arranged between the component and the fastening plate, whereby the damping element is pressed onto the fastening plate by the component. Here, too, a direct mechanical contact is guaranteed between the damping element and the component on the one hand and between the damping element and the fastening plate on the other hand. The transmission of oscillatory energy onto the damping element is especially facilitated by the direct mechanical contact.

[0029] Over and above this, it is especially advantageous to arrange a damping element between fastening plate and printed circuit board as well as between fastening plate and component, the oscillatory damping being improved even more as a result thereof.

[0030] Over and above this, a fastening arrangement is especially advantageous wherein the component comprises a contact pin that projects through a center hole in the fastening plate and is soldered to the printed circuit board. Such a fastening arrangement has the advantage that one of the electrical contactings of the component can be especially easily implemented. It is especially advantageous when a further electrical contact of the component to the printed circuit board is mediated via the fastening plate itself. To this end, it is necessary that the fastening plate comprise electrically conductive properties.

[0031] It is also necessary therefor that the rigid connections between the component and the fastening plate on the one hand as well as between the fastening plate and the printed circuit board on the other hand are electrically conductively implemented. This, for example, can be realized with solder or, respectively, welded connections.

[0032] The invention also specifies the employment of the fastening plate for fastening a capacitor on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is thereby provided for installation in the immediate proximity of the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The employment of the fastening plate is especially advantageous here because the mechanical oscillations of the motor are especially effectively damped and are only slightly transmitted onto the capacitor. As a result thereof, the connection of the capacitor to the fastening plate as well as the capacitor itself are protected against the oscillations. The inventive fastening plate is particularly suited for keeping the high-frequency oscillations with frequencies >1 kHz away from the capacitor.

[0033] The invention is explained in greater detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and the Figures appertaining thereto.

[0034]FIG. 1 shows an inventive fastening plate in a schematic plan view.

[0035]FIG. 2 shows another exemplary, inventive fastening plate in a schematic plan view.

[0036]FIG. 3 shows an inventive fastening arrangement in a schematic crossection by way of example.

[0037]FIG. 4 shows another inventive fastening arrangement in a schematic crossection by way of example.

[0038]FIG. 1 shows a fastening plate 1 that comprises the shape of a round disk.

[0039] The fastening plate 1 comprises pins 5 directed into the plane of the drawing that serve for fastening the fastening plate 1 on a printed circuit board. Further, the fastening plate 1 comprises weld surfaces 6 that are suitable for soldering metal fast on the fastening plate 1. For example, this metal can be the metal housing of a component. A component that touches the fastening plate 1 with points lying on a circular line is secured on the fastening plate 1 with the assistance of welds 13 arranged along a circular line.

[0040] The fastening plate 1 comprises incisions 4 that are conducted from the edge of the fastening plate 1 in the direction toward the center of gravity 7 of the fastening plate 1 and from thence back to the edge of the fastening plate 1. As a result of this guidance of the incision 4, recesses 8 are produced in the fastening plate 1. The incisions 4 are thereby shaped such that they are free of corners over their entire length. The incisions 4, just like the recesses 8, are oriented to the center of gravity 7 of the fastening plate 1, as a result whereof an optimum decoupling of the pins 5 from the welds 13 arises.

[0041] In the middle, the fastening plate 1 comprises a center hole 9 through which a contact pin of a component to be arranged over the fastening plate 1 can project, be plugged into the printed circuit board to be arranged under the fastening plate 1 and contacted thereat. Additional parting incisions 19 part two respective welds 13.

[0042]FIG. 2 shows a fastening plate 1 that is similar to that in FIG. 1. In contrast to the fastening plate 1 shown in FIG. 1, two neighboring welds 13 are not separated from one another by a parting incision 19, 11 the number of incisions 4, 19 and, thus, the outlay for their production is reduced compared to the fastening plate 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0043]FIG. 3 shows a component 2 implemented as an electrolytic capacitor that is mounted on a printed circuit board 3 by means of a fastening plate 1. The electrolytic capacitor comprises a capacitor winding 14 that is contacted, on the one hand, to a metal housing 11 and, on the other hand, to a contact pin 12. For example, the metal housing 11 can be composed of aluminum. The contacting thereby ensues via contact elements 17. The capacitor winding 14 is fixed in position relative to the metal housing 11 by means of an all around center bead 18, so that it does not dislocate all that easily given mechanical oscillations of the metal housing, as a result whereof a potential tearing of the contact elements 17 is prevented.

[0044] At its side facing toward the fastening plate 1, the electrolytic capacitor is protected by seal elements 15 from leakage of the electrolyte and from the penetration of moisture into the capacitor. An all-around projection that is rigidly connected to the fastening plate 1 at welds 13 is arranged at the underside of the electrolytic capacitor. The fastening plate 1 is provided with pins 5 that are soldered into the holes of a printed circuit board 3 by means of solder 16.

[0045] The fastening plate 1 can, for example, be composed of an electrically conductive material, so that the pins 5 assure an electrical contacting of the electrolytic capacitor to the printed circuit board 3. The second contacting of the 

1. Fastening plate (1) for fastening a component (2) on a printed circuit board (3), having means arranged at printed circuit board fastening points for rigid fastening of the printed circuit board (3) to be arranged at one side of the fastening plate (1) and having means arranged at component fastening points for rigid fastening of the component (2) to be arranged at one side of the printed circuit board (3) [sic], [said fastening plate (1)] comprising an incision (4) that parts the direct connection between a printed circuit board fastening point and a neighboring component fastening point.
 2. Fastening plate according to claim 1, whereby the means for rigid fastening of the printed circuit board (3) are pins (5) projecting from the plane of the printed circuit board.
 3. Fastening plate according to claim 1 or 2, whereby the means for rigid fastening of the component (2) are weld surfaces (6) suitable for welding a metal on.
 4. Fastening plate according to according to claim 1 through 3 that is electrically conductive.
 5. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 4 that is composed of metal.
 6. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 5 that is spring-elastic.
 7. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 6 wherein the incision (4) proceeds from the edge of the fastening plate (1).
 8. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 7, whereby the incision (4) proceeds in the direction toward the center of gravity (7) of the fastening plate (1).
 9. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 8, whereby the incision (4) forms a planar recess (80 in the fastening plate (1).
 10. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 9, whereby the incision (4) is free of corners.
 11. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 10 that comprises the shape of a circular disk.
 12. Fastening plate according to claim 11 that comprises a center hole (9).
 13. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 12 that comprises a plurality of incisions (4) that part all direct connections between a printed circuit board fastening point and a component fastening point.
 14. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 13 that comprises a damping element (10) for mechanical oscillations at that side at which the component (2) is to be arranged.
 15. Fastening plate according to claim 1 through 14, that comprises a damping element (10) for mechanical oscillations at that side at which the printed circuit board (3) is to be arranged.
 16. Fastening arrangement having a fastening plate (1) according to one of the claims 1 through 15, having a component (2) and having a printed circuit board (3), whereby the printed circuit board (3) is arranged at one side of the fastening plate (1) and is rigidly connected to the fastening plate (10 at printed circuit board fastening points; whereby the component (2) is arranged at one side of the fastening plate (1) and is rigidly connected to the fastening plate (1) at fastening plate fastening points; and whereby the fastening plate (1) comprises an incision (4) that parts the direct connection between a printed circuit board fastening point and a neighboring component fastening point.
 17. Fastening arrangement according to claim 16, whereby the fastening plate (1) presses a damping element (10) for mechanical oscillations onto the printed circuit board (3).
 18. Fastening arrangement according to claim 16 or 17, whereby the component (2) presses a damping element (10) for mechanical oscillations onto the fastening plate (1).
 19. Fastening arrangement according to claim 16 through 18, whereby the component (2) comprises a metal housing (11) that is welded to the fastening plate (1); and whereby the fastening plate (1) is soldered to the printed circuit board (3) by means of pins (5).
 20. Fastening arrangement according to claim 19, whereby the component (2) comprises a contact pin (12) that projects through a center hole (9) in the fastening plate (1) and is soldered to the printed circuit board (3).
 21. Employment of the fastening plate according to claim 1 through 15 for fastening a capacitors on a circuit board (3) that is provided for installation in the immediate proximity of the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. 